"I dropped out of college and went to Africa. I tried to get Ari to come with me, but she had her own dreams and they had nothing to do with volunteering at an orphanage in the middle of nowhere. I loved it, though. It made me feel useful despite... everything. I would have stayed with the kids in Africa until the end, but Ariana stopped returning my calls and texts and I was worried that something had happened to her. So here I am." I smiled at Nonna. "Because family is everything."
"And how do you know Angel?" Annetta asked.
My chest tightened again as I recalled how Angel and I had met and the things we'd done together. The way he'd invited Max to eat with us and had called a cab and sent him to a motel afterward. I thought of taking me up on High Roller, and the way he kissed me with an intensity that made my knees weak. As I detailed our incredible adventures together, my feelings for him grew even more conflicted.
"He volunteered at an orphanage with you?" Nonna asked, sounding amazed.
I nodded. "He and Bones were great. Those kids need strong male role models, and it was awesome to have them step up like that. Angel also took me to San Diego so I could walk on the beach. I'd never done that before, and wanted to before... before I can't. We went diving, as well, but in hindsight, that probably wasn't the best idea, considering my condition. Worst migraine of my life. Seriously, the ocean was so beautiful, though. I don't regret any of it."
"But Angel didn't know about your tumor?" Annetta asked.
I shook my head. "I never meant for things between us to go so far. I kept telling him I couldn't be in a relationship, but he doesn't exactly accept the word no."
They both laughed.
"The men in this family are bullheaded," Nonna replied. "They see something they want, nothing can deter them from going after it."
"Clearly." After all, he and Bones had brought me here at gunpoint. "But I don't think Angel wants me anymore. He thinks I'm a cop or something. We're not exactly on the best terms right now."
"He's protecting his family," Nonna replied. "Surely you can't blame him after your own experience with the authorities."
She had me there.
"Angel and Dom will clear this mess up, and then everything will be fine," Annetta reassured me. "We are people of many resources, and my husband is adept at solving problems."
I appreciated her confidence, but still thought it necessary to remind her of the truth. "I don't know that terminal cancer is a problem anyone can solve."
"We'll see what Dr. Monte says," Annetta replied, sounding a little bullheaded herself. "But enough about this. I think you should join the family tomorrow after your doctor's appointment. There are a lot of us, and we all take a day to Christmas shop for local families in need. Then we meet here, wrap everything, and then we call a service to have it delivered. This'll give you a chance to meet everyone."
I'd always wanted a big family, and I couldn't think of anything I'd enjoy more than shopping and wrapping presents with Angel's. There was only one problem. "I'm still not sure where Angel and I stand right now."
As if on cue, he stepped into the kitchen, looking exhausted. "You ready to go, Markie?"
Annetta hugged me. "It was so nice to meet you, dear. Don't worry, these things have a way of working themselves out," she whispered.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Angel
MARKIE WAS DYING. Father looked as shocked as I felt. After telling him her story, I handed him the business card she'd given me. He put his office phone on speaker and dialed.
"Dom. It's about goddamn time. Thought I was going to have to send you a neon sign with my fuckin' number. Please tell me you killed the bitch."
"Adamo," Father said through gritted teeth.
"No? That's a shame. I would love to see Angel turn on you. Ah well. How's Mike? Still stuck in that wheel chair? Should have been you, mother fucker."
Father glanced at me. "Cut the bullshit and tell me what you want."
Adamo chuckled. "Many things. But nuthin' a lousy son-of-a-bitch like you can give to me. That's okay. I'll take them for myself, like a real man. I won't send my brother in to clean up my mess. That's the difference between me and you. But when the shit hits the fan and your empire crumbles down around you, I want you to know who's responsible. I want you to remember this all could have been avoided if you'd been man enough to do your fuckin' duty."
"And marry that horse-mouthed bitch of yours? I don't think so. You need to let that pipedream go, Adamo. Hasn't it cost you enough?"
Although my old man sounded calm, the vein threatening to pop out of his forehead told a different story.
The line went dead. Father tapped on his keyboard and swore loudly.
"No trace?" I asked.
